New chairman appointed to lead Port Authority

By Kiah Collier

Updated 5:46 pm, Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Janiece Longoria is sworn in by Judge Ed Emmett as the chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote for the chair of the Port Commission, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria is sworn in by Judge Ed Emmett as the chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote for the

Mayor Annise Parker chats with Steve Lasher, husband of Janiece Longoria, who speaks with Judge Ed Emmett after Longoria was officially voted in as the chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria into the office, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Mayor Annise Parker chats with Steve Lasher, husband of Janiece Longoria, who speaks with Judge Ed Emmett after Longoria was officially voted in as the chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County

Janiece Longoria reacts as she was officially voted in as chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria in as the chair for the Port of Houston Authority commission, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria reacts as she was officially voted in as chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria

Janiece Longoria, far left, addresses the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria in as the chair for the Port of Houston Authority commission, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria, far left, addresses the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria in as the chair for the Port of Houston Authority

Janiece Longoria looks over paperwork after she was sworn in at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote for Janiece Longoria in as the chair for the Port of Houston Authority commission, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria looks over paperwork after she was sworn in at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote for Janiece Longoria in as the

Janiece Longoria is sworn in by Judge Ed Emmett as the chair of the Port of Houston as Mayor Annise Parker and Longoria's husband, Steve Lasher watch at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote for the chair of the Port Commission, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria is sworn in by Judge Ed Emmett as the chair of the Port of Houston as Mayor Annise Parker and Longoria's husband, Steve Lasher watch at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the

Janiece Longoria reacts as she was officially voted in as chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria in as the chair for the Port of Houston Authority commission, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria reacts as she was officially voted in as chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria

Janiece Longoria is congratulated by well-wishers after she was officially voted in as the chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote Longoria into the office, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria is congratulated by well-wishers after she was officially voted in as the chair of the Port of Houston at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City

Janiece Longoria shakes hands with Judge Ed Emmett after he swore her in as the chair of the Port Commission at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met jointly to vote for the chair of the Port Commission, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Houston.

Janiece Longoria shakes hands with Judge Ed Emmett after he swore her in as the chair of the Port Commission at the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the Commissioner's Court and the City Council met

Longoria, a Houston trial attorney and former University of Texas regent, received unanimous votes from the Harris County Commissioner's Court and Houston City Council in a joint meeting. She is the first woman and first minority to head the port authority's seven-member governing commission, a high-profile job.

After her appointment, Longoria thanked the city and county elected officials "for your vote and your confidence in me." She promised to help improve the authority and its public image after a 2011 shakeup that led to its review last year by a legislative agency.

"This will be done," she said, standing at a podium in the Commissioners Court meeting room, which was packed with port and other local officials.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who recommended Longoria for the position, and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who administered oath of office, thanked Longoria for her willingness to serve at a "critical" time in the authority's nearly 100-year history.

Longoria succeeds Jim Edmonds, who served as chairman since June 2000.